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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Should I stop contact with DPS and choose new guardians for DC's?

6 replies

xmasbaba2014 · 15/12/2018 17:25

I really want people to be honest and tell me if I'm overreacting. I have 4 DC's, youngest two have autism and ID. I split with their (very abusive) dad 3 years ago.
My parents weren't particularly supportive after the separation but I'm quite an independent person so just got on with it by myself.
The main thing that has annoyed me is their lack of interest in the kids. My youngest girl had her autism assessment recently. They knew but didn't text or call to see how it went, did she get a diagnosis etc. Same when the older girl started school in September, it was a big deal as she was going into an autism unit but they didn't bother asking how she got on until I ran into them into the shops a couple of weeks later. They live 5 minutes down the road but never visit, this is despite knowing that it's difficult for me to bring the younger girls anywhere as they find it really overwhelming and stressful being in unfamiliar places. So I've accepted all this and maintained a fairly low contact relationship with them. The only contact we really have now is if I ring them or we happen to bump into each other at my mum's work place or in town. If I don't call they would leave it several weeks before they would call.

A year ago I got into a relationship with a woman. The relationship is great, we've met each others kids, plan to move in together next year etc. My parents don't acknowledge the relationship, my dad doesn't at all, my mum does but barely. They haven't met her. Mum called me the other day to see if I'm coming down Christmas day with the kids. They always expect us down for Christmas, won't come to me despite being invited previous years. I told her I'll let her know over the next couple of days because my gf and her daughter are calling in Christmas day but I wasn't sure what time. I then commented that I must arrange a day for us to all meet for coffee or something so they can meet her. She immediately said "Well not at Christmas" So in other words she wants me and the kids there but not my partner. At this stage I don't know what the point is in continuing a relationship with my parents. They don't care about my kids, they're not bothered about my happiness...aibu in firstly turning down the Christmas invite and also just not bothering to force this relationship with then any more? Also in my will I have them down as guardians for the two youngest if anything happens to me. If I change this I will have to look at setting up a respite family through their service provider who could then take over their care if I died (their dad has addiction issues so couldn't). However I can't see that they'd be better off with my parents tbh as they have made no effort to get to know them or their needs.

OP posts:
pusspuss9 · 15/12/2018 18:33

OP. do you think your parents have an issue with your children or with you? If it's not with the children maybe it's better to keep their grandparents as guardians if they have consented of course.

Aussiebean · 15/12/2018 18:45

My in laws are guardians and I have written in my will that my mother is to have no contact or say in what happens to them. So I get it.

pusspuss9 · 15/12/2018 19:01

I misunderstood, I thought you meant you were looking outside the family for guardians.

xmasbaba2014 · 15/12/2018 19:49

I don't think they have an issue with me (except my current relationship) or with the kids in particular. I just think they're disinterested and find their extra needs a bit of an inconvenience. They show no interest in their school, how they're doing in their therapies (ot, SLT etc) and have no idea how to cope with their behaviour which can be challenging as they have never taken any interest. I don't think they'd cope at all with them if they were to have full time care of them and I'm also not sure if I want my kids being raised by people who quite obviously have an issue with same sex relationships either. I would prefer them to be raised by open minded people who are sensitive to their needs and I feel I may have to look outside the family for that. I have no siblings who could do it and in laws don't want to be involved.

OP posts:
GemmeFatale · 15/12/2018 20:14

If I understand correctly you want a set up where, should the worst happen to you, your children would go to someone who they already had a relationship with. Is that right?

I think I would set up the new arrangement. Your parents don’t seem particularly comfortable with their needs

xmasbaba2014 · 15/12/2018 20:35

Yes, I would hope to set it up as a respite situation for now, that the girls could maybe spend a day every couple of weeks and occasional weekends with a family with the expectation being they would go there if anything happened to me. I just don't think my parents are the best option.

OP posts:
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